Party without a Cause

THIS WAS supposed to have been the Year of the Republican. Capitalizing on the dramatic boost in party registration under Ronald Reagan, and on the retirement of scores of congressmen because of reapportionment, the Grand Old Party was poised for spectacular gains in both the House and the Senate. Indeed, at the gathering of House Republicans in Princeton two years ago, Minority Leader Bob Michel was introduced to thunderous applause as “the next Speaker of the House.”

Today these expectations have run aground, and not because of a revived Democratic opposition. Rather, the threat to a Republican renaissance comes from within the party itself. In the name of pragmatism, the national party leadership is running up a curious record of defeats.

MF

About the Author

Mike Fredenburg

Mike Fredenburg is the founding president of the Adam Smith Institute of San Diego.

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THIS WAS supposed to have been the Year of the Republican. Capitalizing on the dramatic boost in party registration under Ronald Reagan, and on the retirement of scores of congressmen because of reapportionment, the Grand Old Party was poised for spectacular gains in both the House and the Senate. Indeed, at the gathering of House Republicans in Princeton two years ago, Minority Leader Bob Michel was introduced to thunderous applause as “the next Speaker of the House.”

Today these expectations have run aground, and not because of a revived Democratic opposition. Rather, the threat to a Republican renaissance comes from within the party itself. In the name of pragmatism, the national party leadership is running up a curious record of defeats.